Olympic Brew (5011 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick, 509/735-2138, 11:30 a.m.–8 p.m. Sun.–Thurs., 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri.–Sat.) is a popular lunch emporium with sandwiches, quiche, and other fare.
For seafood, steak, prime rib, and pasta with outside riverside seating, head to Cedars Pier 1 (7 Clover Island, next to the Quality Inn, 509/582-2143, 5–9 p.m. Sun.–Thurs., 5–10 p.m. Fri.–Sat.).
Probably because Yakima Valley [1] and Columbia Basin lead the nation in hops production, the Tri-Cities [2] have become a center of microbrewed beer. Atomic Ale Brewpub & Eatery (1015 Lee Blvd., Richland, 509/946-5465, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sun.) is the oldest of the lot (from way back in 1997). Its beers include the appropriately named Plutonium Porter, Atomic Amber, and Half-Life Hefeweisen. The menu centers on distinctive pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven, though they also have steaks, seafood, and bratwurst. There’s live music every Monday evening, and no smoking.
Kimos at Rattlesnake Mountain Brewing Company (1250 Columbia Center Blvd., Richland, 509/783-5747, http://kimossportsbar.com [3], 3–11 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–1 a.m. Fri., 9 a.m.–1 a.m. Sat., 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Sun.) is one of the nicer local places and also features outside dining along the Columbia River with a wide-ranging and reasonably priced menu. Items on the menu worth attention are the Oriental wasabi chicken salad and Rattlesnake Buffalo wings. Don’t miss the Honey Red Ale!
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/washington/columbia-gorge-and-wine-country/yakima-valley
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/washington/columbia-gorge-and-wine-country/tri-cities
[3] http://kimossportsbar.com